Methodologic Validity Of Patient's History In Establishing The Diagnosis Of Epileptic Attacks

Year 2007, Volume: 4 Issue: 4, 154 - 160, 01.12.2007

Abdülkadir Koçer Emel Koçer Sultan Çağrıcı Eren Gözke

Abstract

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Keywords

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Methodologic Validity Of Patient's History In Establishing The Diagnosis Of Epileptic Attacks

Abstract

Aim: We tried to determine the specificity and sensitivity of history in the diagnosis of epileptic seizures in outpatient clinics specialised on epilepsy. Methods: Three-hundred and twelve patients presented with a complaint of fit or fainting were evaluated. Ninety seven patients (40 males, 57 females) with a mean age of 27.89±17.19 years in neurology outpatient clinics were included in Group I and 215 patients (125 males, 87 women) with a mean age of 24.97±15.50 years in outpatient clinics specialized on epilepsy were included in Group II. Initial diagnoses were compared with definitive diagnoses reached through detailed investigations. The methodological validity of history in leading to definitive diagnosis was sought and compared in each group. Results: The most frequent epileptic and non-epileptic seizures were generalized tonic-clonic and psychogenic seizures respectively. The most common ictal finding was unresponsiveness in both types. The sensitivity and specificity of history in the diagnosis of epileptic seizures were 65.8% and 64.1%, respectively in Group I. The ninety-nine percentage (sensitivity) of epileptic and 57.1% (selectivity) of nonepileptic cases were diagnosed with medical history in Group II. Conclusion: The initial diagnosis of epileptic seizures can be improved by a more carefully history taking, by administering a seizure-questionnaire, and by evaluating patients at a more specialized outpatient clinic circumstances

Keywords

Conversion disorder, epilepsy, psychophysiologic disorders, seizures

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